SBU detained Russian involved in murder of journalist Paul Khlebnikov

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained two Russian citizens who are on the international wanted list for committing particularly serious crimes. This was reported by the press service of the department.

One of the detainees was involved in the murder of American journalist Paul Klebnikov in 2004 and a representative of the government of Chechnya.

"According to Interpol, the foreigner participated in a number of contract killings, in particular of the Russian Forbes' editor-in-chief, US citizen Paul Klebnikov and deputy head of the government of Chechen Republic in 2001-2003. Russian detainee was part of an organized criminal group, which in Ukraine was engaged in extorting money from private entrepreneurs, "the report said.

The second detained Russian was declared an international wanted man for committing crimes in the EU countries and in 2013 he fled during the court session.

"According to Interpol, it became known that in 2013 the defendant Russian with the help of his accomplice escaped from the premises of the courtroom of the city of Sandvik in Norway," the SBU added.

At the moment, the issue of choosing a measure of restraint and possible extradition is being decided.

The editor-in-chief of the Russian version of Forbes, Paul Khlebnikov, was shot dead on July 9, 2004, at the exit from the editorial office. In the case of his murder, the Chechen nationals Kazbek Dukuzov and Musa Vakhayev were accused, as well as the notary Faile Sadretdinov, who allegedly hired them to commit a crime.